Review by Choice Review
The causes and roots of the apparent rise in worldwide terrorism are important issues. University of North Texas sociologists Zafirovski and Rodeheaver set out to accomplish two things: redefine modern terrorism to include both state and anti-state terrorism and identify the primary cause of modern terrorism as a violent reaction against modernity by reactionary, largely religious fundamentalist, parties. By modernity, the authors mean liberal, secular, rational, capitalist, and globalist movements found largely in Western societies. These values threaten traditional, i.e. non-modern, ways of life and thus lead to reactionary activities, including terrorism. Though this argument may explain some types of terrorist activities, it does not fit other types of terrorism, particularly state-sponsored terrorism by governments that are seen as modern. After defining terrorism, the authors include chapters on anti-liberalism and terrorism, anti-secularism and terrorism, anti-rationalism and terrorism, and anti-globalism and terrorism. The book presents some new and provocative ideas, but its opaque writing style and sociological jargon make it a challenging read for non-professionals. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. G. M. Farr emeritus, Portland State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
